edithmhumphrey

Light from the Old Testament Upon the Acts 7: The Name, the Faith, and the Healing

Acts 3:11-26; Genesis chapters 15, 18, 22, 26, and 28; Deuteronomy 18. As with the great signs of the Spirit at Pentecost, which attracted a crowd, Peter uses the sign of the healed paralytic as an occasion to preach to the astounded crowds who had gathered on Solomon’s Porch—the outer rim of the Temple. HeContinue reading “Light from the Old Testament Upon the Acts 7: The Name, the Faith, and the Healing”

Light From the Old Testament Upon the Acts 6: Mercy from the LORD

Acts 3:1-11; Lev. 21:18-23; 2 Sam/1 Kingdoms 5:6-8; Matthew 21:14 Once Luke has narrated the glorious ascension of our Lord, established the powerful beginning of the Church in Pentecost, and described for us its astonishing unity and communion centered around the apostles, he goes on to describe their Spirit-inspired acts. The first takes place inContinue reading “Light From the Old Testament Upon the Acts 6: Mercy from the LORD”

Paideia 2026 and My Talk on Loves in the Scriptures and Fathers

Last month, Chris and I attended the third meeting of Paideia at Antiochian Village, (theme: Orthodoxy Speaks to the Human Heart), enjoyed intriguing papers and energizing discussions, and met friends old and new over hors d’oeuvres and drinks in the fast-free week after Pentecost. It was wonderful, as were the first two meetings. I hadContinue reading “Paideia 2026 and My Talk on Loves in the Scriptures and Fathers”

Light from the Old Testament Upon the Acts 5: The Communion of Saints

Acts 2:37-47; Deut 30:6, 32:5; Joel 2:28-32; Ezekiel 36:26-27 There are probably no homilists who have not yearned for the kind of response that followed Peter’s sermon on that first Christian Pentecost—it was both deep and dramatic. Luke explains the heartfelt response of the crowd, tells us of the huge number that turned to Christ,Continue reading “Light from the Old Testament Upon the Acts 5: The Communion of Saints”

Light from the Old Testament Upon the Acts, Episode 4: Witnessing to Jesus

Acts 2:22-36; Psalm 15 LXX/16:8-11; Psalm 109 LXX/10:1; Luke 24:13-45; Phil. 2:5-11, 2 Peter 1:19 In this past week, we rejoiced in God’s promise of Pentecost, and the enlivening of the apostles when the Holy Spirit made the fishermen “most wise.” We have a tendency, though, to gloss over a major part of the firstContinue reading “Light from the Old Testament Upon the Acts, Episode 4: Witnessing to Jesus”

Light from the Old Testament Upon Acts, Episode 3: Pentecost, The Great Reversal

Acts 2:1-21, Genesis 10-11, Exodus 24:17, Leviticus 23:15-17, Joel 2:28-32, 3 Kingdoms/1 Kings 8:27-30; 41-43, Hebrews 12:18 The story of Pentecost is one of the most dramatic scenes in the entire Bible. It takes place during a holy time of fulfillment, after a time of prayer and watchfulness in the Upper Room. Evidently those outsideContinue reading “Light from the Old Testament Upon Acts, Episode 3: Pentecost, The Great Reversal”

Light from the Old Testament On Acts 2: the Guidance of the LORD

Acts 1:15-26, Josh 18:10, 1 Kingdoms/Samuel 10:20–21, 1 Chronicles 24:5, 25:8, Psalms LXX 68, 108 (MT 69, 109), Proverbs 16:33, Luke 24:3, 1 Cor 8:6, and 2 Peter 1:16-20. This week’s passage, Acts 1:15-26, contains both echoes and direct quotations from the Old Testament. It comes directly after Jesus’ Ascension, and after Luke’s narrative concerningContinue reading “Light from the Old Testament On Acts 2: the Guidance of the LORD”

“Crossing the Creek” news

Exciting news! My granddaughter, Madeleine Summers, is the official illustrator for my upcoming book, Crossing the Creek (due out in 2027 through Cascade Books) You might remember her as the real-life inspiration for Maddie in Beyond the White Fence, when the children visit St. Mary Magdalene. It’s such a joy to collaborate with her onContinue reading ““Crossing the Creek” news”

Light from the Old Testament Upon Acts 1: The God Who Does Wonders!

Acts 1:1-14, Daniel 7 In speaking of the Acts of the Apostles, St. John Chrysostom lamented that in his day, it was not a very well known book, and then went on to say: “it will profit us no less than the Gospels themselves, so replete is it with Christian wisdom and sound doctrine, especiallyContinue reading “Light from the Old Testament Upon Acts 1: The God Who Does Wonders!”

Light From Isaiah 3: The Suffering Servant Brings Hope and Glory

Isaiah 40-66; Phil 2:5-11; Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45; 2 Cor 5:21; Gal 3:13-15. Lent has provided us with a rich feast, in the prophecies of the great servant of God, Isaiah. The first two sections (chapters 1-39) which we have considered mostly targeted the years 742-687 BC, from the calling of the prophet, when KingContinue reading “Light From Isaiah 3: The Suffering Servant Brings Hope and Glory”